We are both feeling very relaxed and content, taking full advantage of napping in the day. We are staying in a lovely seaside town which is a welcome change from Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully we have escaped the unpleasant smells from open sewers but unfortunately not from Durian. I can’t understand how fruit that smells like cheese is so popular! We tried some out of curiosity but you can imagine our reaction.

We took a boat to explore Manukan and Sapi Island. I felt like Meredith Blake from parent trap ready to knock sticks together to scare monitor lizards away. This was our first glimpse of wildlife and nature in Borneo, as I’m not counting the rats we have already seen. It helps to imagine that they are wearing mini chefs hats like in the Ratouille movie. Later we went snorkelling but I have to learn not to panic and grab on to Wander Man. It helps if I wear my sea socks as protection – they are handy but not fashionable.

On another day we trekked through the dense forest in Kinabalu National Park and went to waterfall at Pouring Hot Spring. I was surprisingly brave crossing the canopy walkways that are suspended above the forest. I’m obviously not as much of a wimp as I thought.

So far we have settled into travelling life well. Although my main concerns are: the incessant flies, lack of toilet paper in public loos, and limited vegan options. I hope that I’m not going to have to eat bread and crisps for the foreseeable future. Please pray for my balanced diet 🙏🏻. Oh and not forgetting the hole in the ground toilet – why squat when you can sit?!

Next stop- Sepilok forest 🐒🌿🐊

Lots to love,

Wander Woman 👣🌍